Desautels Faculty of Music Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance applicant admission requirements (2025-2026)

February 15, 2025

This information is available with, and constitutes part of, the application. It is assumed that all applicants have read and understood it prior to submitting the completed application.

Programs offered

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance (PBDP)

A. Academic Requirements

Applicants to the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance program must possess a Bachelor of Music degree or a Conservatory Diploma taken in residence to be considered eligible for admission into the program.

B. Non-Academic Requirements

Applicants must pass an entrance audition. The audition may be up to 30 minutes in length, which allows for 15 to 20 minutes of prepared music. If the music chosen exceeds this length, only portions of the audition repertoire may be heard. The audition will include a short interview. Students auditioning in-person must pay an audition fee.

Audition Dates and Times

Auditions will take place any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The audition dates for September 2025 admission are March 5-7, 2025 (additional dates and times may be added if application pool is large enough that they are needed). Please ensure that you are available throughout the entire audition period. If you are unable to audition during our advertised dates, please contact the Desautels Faculty of Music Admissions Coordinator in advance.

Audition requirements vary by area of application and can be found on the Music (Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance) program page.

• Explore the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance (PBDP) program page

Students auditioning in the classical area (voice or instrument) are required to provide their own accompanist.

Out of Province Applicants

Applicants may audition with a high quality video recording. The recordings must fulfill the audition requirements specified by the area and show the applicant performing.

C. Obtaining a Second PBDP

Applicants who hold the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance from the University of Manitoba (or equivalent Post-Baccalaureate one-year program from another institution) may apply for a second PBDP if studying a different applied instrument than that of their first PBDP in their Major Practical Study, Ensemble, and Recital courses, and if the remaining course credits taken do not duplicate those in the first PBDP.

D. English Language Proficiency Requirements

All applicants whose primary language is not English and do not qualify for a waiver under the University of Manitoba’s English language proficiency regulations will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.

Additional information regarding specific English Language Proficiency Requirements, English Language Proficiency Waiver information, and test options can be found on the University of Manitoba Admissions website.

• English language proficiency requirements

Results for most language tests, including TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo, expire two years from the test date. Test scores must be valid at the start of classes. Please confirm the validity of your test results.

A. Application Fees

Applications are not considered received until the application is submitted and the non-refundable application fee has been paid by the posted deadline.

All correspondence, including decision release information will be sent via email.

Please ensure your email account remains current and will accept emails from the University of Manitoba. Check your filters.

B. Deadlines and Important Dates

1. Late applications and auditions may be considered. Please contact the Desautels Faculty of Music for more information.

C. Required Application Documentation

The following documents will be required to complete your application:

Please send all documentation to the following address:

Admission for Music
University of Manitoba
424 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

Electronic transcripts should be submitted to&applicant.services@umanitoba.ca

In order to be considered official, electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the email of the office responsible for issuing transcripts. Transcripts emailed or forwarded by the applicant are considered unofficial.

The University of Manitoba is a registered receiving organization with MyCreds^TM. Applicants from participating member universities and colleges can release their transcripts to the University of Manitoba through their MyCreds^TM portal. Applicants should select 'Share' and then 'Organization' instead of opting for 'email'.

Applications are not complete until all necessary documents are received. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that our office receives all required information.

Applicants must notify the Admissions Office immediately should they either enroll at a postsecondary institution not previously declared on their application or enroll in additional coursework not declared on the previously submitted final transcript provided for assessment. Applicants will be required to provide proof of registration.

D. Transfer Credit Information

At the University of Manitoba, all prior course work from recognized post-secondary institutions will be considered as part of the application for admission process for our undergraduate degree and diploma programs.

Courses are evaluated for advanced standing or transfer credit on a course-by-course basis and assigned a University of Manitoba equivalent, where applicable. Where a direct equivalent does not exist, students may receive general (unallocated) credit. The regulations regarding transfer credit are program specific and vary considerably depending on the faculty or school of application. Faculties and schools will only consider external courses completed within the last ten (or fewer) years.

Courses deemed acceptable for transfer credit will be awarded, subject to program approval, up to the maximum allowed under the program of admission, based on the Faculty or School’s transfer credit policy and residency requirements (consult the section of the University's Academic Calendar for details).

• Explore the Academic Calendar

Students may be asked to provide comprehensive and accurate course outlines or syllabi, as issued by their institution of study, for all courses lacking a current evaluation. Course outlines or syllabi should include information on: course objectives, outline of the units studied, textbook(s) used, assignments, and accompanying laboratory information, if applicable, to assist in the transfer credit assessment process.

An online transfer credit resource is available for information on current course evaluations receiving credit.

While we appreciate that some institutions do not have course information readily available, many students have been able to provide the information requested by contacting the individual departments or instructors at their prior institutions. Students who are unable to provide the requested course information may render themselves ineligible for programs with specific course requirements. In cases where outlines have not been provided, unsuccessful course attempts, including F grades, may be assessed as part of the academic assessment regulations of a student's program of study. Only successful applicants will be notified of transfer credit results.

Additional information related to transfer credit is available on the Admissions website. 

Transfer credit information

Transfer of credits into the PBDP program will be processed by the Faculty of Music Student Advisor.  A maximum of 12 credit hours of courses may be transferred into the PBDP program, provided that they have not counted toward any previous degree. A minimum of 18 credit hours must be taken within the Faculty, although up to the full 30 credit hours of the diploma program may be taken within the Faculty.

Transfer of credits from the PBDP program will be processed through the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Courses may not be counted for more than one degree and may be transferred from the PBDP to the M.Mus. only if they have not been counted toward the PBDP or more than the minimum credit hours have been taken.

Notification of Decision

Once a decision has been made, all applicants will receive an email notifying them to log into their application portal to view the decision. Students who are offered admission will be required to confirm their acceptance. If you do not accept the offer by the deadline date indicated in the letter, your offer will lapse and you will need to contact our office to discuss the possibility of an extension. It is imperative that your email account remains current and that you check it regularly or arrange for someone to check it in your absence.

Individuals who wish to have their applications reconsidered should submit their request to the Admissions Office. Past experience has shown that most inquiries can be satisfied at this level without further reference. Persons wishing reconsideration of the decision shall direct their request to the Admissions Office within ten (10) business days of the posted decision date. All appeals must come directly from the applicant and not a third party (e.g. parent, sibling, friend, agent, etc.).

Should the student wish to pursue the reconsideration decision further, such an appeal will be made in accordance with the Senate Committee on Appeals Procedures.

• Review the Senate Committee on Appeals policy and procedures

Applicants are advised that appeals of reconsideration decisions by the Senate Appeal Committee focus on questions of correct adherence to published policies and procedures, and not on subjective issues or the relative merits of the application.

The Desautels Faculty of Music and Admissions Office are able to assist applicants who seek counselling regarding admission to the Desautels Faculty of Music. However, it is policy not to instruct applicants as to a specific course of action they should follow, but rather to provide the information needed for applicants to make their own choice with respect to the alternatives available. The following points require special attention:

1. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their plans with all who can usefully advise them, but they should be aware that second and third hand information about admission policies may not be accurate.
2. No official at the university can guarantee the admission of any applicant. Admission is determined by the Committee on the basis of an annual competition.
3. All applicants are advised to supplement any personal enquiries with a written request so that an official written response can be made. It is only these written responses which will be considered as evidence of any advice given (Section 8: Contact Information).

The University of Manitoba is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities. If you are a student with a diagnosed disability (permanent, chronic, or temporary) who may require academic accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 204-474-7423 or by email at student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca to learn more about the confidential supports that are available.

The following other contacts may also be useful.

The Desautels Faculty of Music offers a one-year Post- Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance designed for musicians who wish to future their performance skills in preparation for further study or professional activity. The unique features of the PBDP program are that students can design their own program of study and tailor it to their own areas of interest. They may take courses at the Faculty of Music as well as in other faculties and schools at the University of Manitoba.

Expected time to complete the program is one year; the maximum time allowed is three years. Extensions may be granted by the Dean for medical or compassionate reasons.

Regulations for the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma regarding academic standing, scholastic progress, attendance, required GPA, probation and suspension will follow those outlined in the Academic Calendar.

• Review more Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance (PBDP) information